Douglas Students Compete At Foreign-Language Forum

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — About 500 students from in and around Douglas County competed in a foreign-language contest Saturday at Douglas County High School.

The West Metro Foreign Language Forum is an oral language contest that recognized students for language proficiency and encourages students and teachers to continue their pursuit of foreign-language mastery.

Research shows that study of a foreign language enhances overall cognitive development, builds thinking skills, math ability, self-esteem and an appreciation of different cultures, school officials said.

Students who study at least three years of a foreign language score higher on SAT tests and other standardized tests, regardless of other factors.

In Georgia, a new bi-literacy seal and International Skills Diploma seal mark a push to encourage language skills among the state's students. The West Metro Foreign Language Forum is another tool geared toward motivating students to pursue language studies.

During the competition, students were evaluated on their fluency, pronunciation, understanding, and accuracy. Participants were from all high schools and middle schools in Douglas County, and judges included current, retired, and recently hired foreign language teachers from Douglas County and across metro Atlanta.

The French and Spanish National Honor Societies at Douglas County High School helped organize and carry out the event, which recognized students as Superior, Excellent, or Good in their Foreign Language proficiency.

The students in the photograph are among those who won "Superior" ratings at the event. They are Deborah Seong, Uzo Chukka, French teacher MWhitney Dubrulle, Machi Okeke, Nathaniel Christian, Tari Clement, Edgar Romero and Mofolu Popoola.

Photo courtesy Douglas County Public Schools